Abstract: A motor vehicle air conditioner heat exchanger has two spaced apart parallel headers joined by two spaced apart parallel channel members. Flow tubes extend between the headers. A nonmetallic bracket is mounted at each of the corners. Each of the brackets has a socket that slides over one of the headers. Each of the brackets has a flange that slides over one of the channel members. The flange has a resilient tab that snaps into engagement with an edge of one of the channel members to retain the bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning condenser includes two tubular members, one on each end of the condenser, for conducting refrigerant to the cooling tubes. A connector block, having a half cylindrical indentation extending from the top of the block to the bottom of the block, is affixed to one of the tubular members of the condenser. The internal radius of curvature of the half cylindrical indentation is substantially the same as the external radius of curvature of the tubular member of the condenser to which the tubular block is attached. The connector block contains a circular first opening of predetermined size with female threads for receiving and securing a connector fitting. Refrigerant passes from an inlet tube assembly, through the connector fitting, into the connector block, through a tubular passage way, into the tubular member and into the cooling tubes.

Abstract: A universal condenser for an air conditioning system for replacing a custom built condenser. The universal condenser enables use of standardized parts resulting in less inventory requirements. The universal condenser includes a tube assembly fastener and mounting rails for supporting the condenser in an engine well. The standardized parts include a limited number of specifically designed brackets, a set of tubes, and the fastener for securing a tube to the condenser.

Abstract: A universal condenser for an air conditioning system for replacing a custom built condenser. The universal condenser enables use of standardized parts resulting in less inventory requirements. The universal condenser includes a tube assembly fastener and mounting rails for supporting the condenser in an engine well. The standardized parts include a limited number of specifically designed brackets, a set of tubes, and the fastener for securing a tube to the condenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting objects around a vehicle, comprising a plurality of microwave-transceiver sensors for transmitting microwave signals to reflect off objects around the vehicle. The reflected signals are received and passed to a control unit for comparing the received signal to a transmitted signal to determine whether a detected object constitutes a threat to the moving vehicle. An alarm means is connected to the control unit and activates upon the receipt of an alarm signal when the control unit determines a detected object constitutes a threat to the vehicle.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a tube assembly to a mating assembly in a sealing engagement includes a vertical member and two integrally formed side members each having an inwardly projecting lip for forming a vertical slot with the vertical member. The mating assembly includes an assembly mount with integrally extending side ribs for engaging the inwardly projecting lip of each side member of the fastener. The tube assembly includes a circular rib near the end of a tube which engages the back of the vertical member of the fastener when the fastener and mating assembly are engaged. An "O-Ring" seal located between the circular rib of the tube and the mating assembly mount is compressed forming a sealing engagement between the tube assembly and the mating assembly.